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TOPIC: PIP and Working

Hi.
I'm hoping you are able to clarify something for me. Two years ago I was awarded enhanced rates of both PIP components. I have had 2 knee replacements, a hip replacement, upper disc replacements and ongoing prolapse disc problems. I have also had over 60 injections in my joints and I have arthritis. My mental health has suffered a great deal as well over the last few years. I have been diagnosed as having psychotic depression, and I can be quite irrational with my thoughts. However, despite all these problems, I do work for myself around 10-15 hours a week, depending on how my health is. Some days I have a window of opportunity such as this one, and I help people with reclaiming Care Home fees. This includes sending out information to them, and on occasion, I will go to a hearing and represent them. Unfortunately, I cannot guage my health. Some days I cannot even get out of bed due to a combination of physical pain and irrational thoughts. I do "see" things through the night, and I do believe I am being monitored by the Government at times (not when my health is in a good place). Anyway, I am becoming more and more terrified I could be claiming fraudulently. I am shaking with fear at times thinking I am going to get a knock on my door. The Tax Credit people are aware I do 10-15 hours, so I am not hiding anything. Please advise me. Your help would certainly be appreciated. Thank You.

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I really can't answer your question with any certainty, you need to meet the criteria for PIP on the majority of days, you don't need to meet it every day, so providing the work that you are doing does not conflict with the limitations on which you award has been made then it shouldn't be an issue.

If you don't go out very often then it is very unlikely that the DWP are watching you, they have very few surveillance teams and they are not going to spend a lot of time waiting for you to go out. I know it's easy, in the times with live in, to think that the DWP watching claimants is common practice but it really isn't.

Try and have a peaceful and unworried Christmas.

Gordon

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